Missoula Police Turn Over Early Morning Shooting Investigation To Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office.

Shortly before midnight on Tuesday, an individual suspected to be involved in the death of a woman found Sunday morning in Jefferson County, shot himself, resulting in his death.

Police spokesman Travis Welsh provides details of the incident.

"After receiving information from the Department of Criminal Investigation, the suspect associated with the homicide in Jefferson County had ties to Missoula, and, in fact, a residence in the Rattlesnake," Welsh said. "We were conducting surveillance on the residence and saw the male get into a car and leave the residence. We initiated a traffic stop and while the officers were waiting for backup, this individual produced a handgun and fired a round, apparently taking his own life."

Two other men were in the vehicle at the time and witnessed the incident.

The man's name has not yet been released.

Welsh explains why the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office was asked to investigate.

"Because of our involvement up to that point, in conjunction with the Missoula County Attorney's office, Ravalli County was requested to come up and conduct the investigation to coincide with the DCI investigation in the other county," he said.
The Department of Criminal Investigation said the deceased female found Sunday morning in Jefferson County has been identified as 45-year-old Cassandra Dean Morrison.

Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton said the results of his investigation will be turned over to the Missoula County Attorney's office.